Iran’s foreign minister has disclosed efforts to advise Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to engage in talks with Turkey, saying that Assad refused, insisting on Turkish withdrawal from Syrian territory first.
“I repeatedly advised the Syrian government, the foreign minister, and even Bashar al-Assad himself to enter into negotiations with Turkey. However, the Syrian government and Mr. Assad were not in favor of negotiating—whether with the opposition or with Turkey," Abbas Araghchi said in an interview with Egypt's Al-Ghad network. The interview took place last week when Araghchi was in Cairo for an economic event, but its text was published on Friday.
“Regarding Turkey, Assad believed that he would not engage in talks with them until their forces withdrew from Syrian territory, questioning how it would be possible to negotiate with a country that had occupied his land,” he added.
Araghchi noted that while Iran provided advice on dealing with Syria’s people, neighbors, and opposition groups, Damascus maintained its independence in decision-making. “The Syrian government acted independently, and we were merely friends offering counsel.”
Earlier this week, Syria’s new foreign minister warned Iran not to destabilize the country's fragile calm after a call by Iran’s Supreme Leader for Syrian youth to rise up against the new Sunni Islamist rulers.
